It initially had a range of 70 km, although the improved Tochka-U increased this to 120 km. As of 1988, around 140 SS-21s were deployed in the frontline divisions, most notably in those stationed in East Germany. It is launched and fired from the ZIL-131 missile truck.

On October 21, 1999, two SS-21missiles were reportedly launched from Mozdok, a city 60 miles northeast of Grozny, in Chechnya. Positively identified by US satellite data, the missiles hit a hospital and marketplace in Grozny, killing at least 143 Chechens, including some within the hospital's maternity ward.